Arsenal had the chance to return to the top of the Premier League with a over Nottingham Forest after a disappointing result against PSV in Europa League on Thursday. And the Gunners took the opportunity with both hands.
Reiss Nelson scored two goals as Arsenal ran rampant in a 5-0 win over Forest at the Emirates. Gabriel Martinelli, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard also got their name on the scoresheet.
The victory means that Arsenal climb ahead of Manchester City at the summit of the Premier League table. football.London takes a look at the winners and losers from the loss, with a clear lean toward the former.
READ MORE: Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest highlights: Nelson scores brace as Gunners run rampant in 5-0 win
Winners
Reiss Nelson
Arsenal were unable to sign a winger in the summer transfer window, despite the clear need to strengthen in the wide areas. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have a lot of pressure to perform in the early weeks of the season.
However, Saka’s injury early in the match meant that Nelson replaced him and was tasked with showing the same impact that Saka imposes on the right-hand side and Nelson responded perfectly.
Scoring two goals in his first Premier League match of the season will only boost his hopes to get more game time in the near future. With Arsenal weak in the wing departments, Nelson has staked his claim to be a trustworthy option on the flanks.
Gabriel Martinelli
Martinelli started his 100th game for Arsenal against PSV on Thursday, but it was definitely one to forget for the Brazilian. He was largely ineffective throughout the match.
However, he made amends for a disappointing couple of matches with a key goal against Nottingham Forest early in the first half, which set the tone for the rest of the match.
With a crucial tie against Chelsea in the Premier League next week, it was important that Martinelli got on the scoresheet to boost his confidence in the final third.
Thomas Partey
Arsenal’s likelihood to win a game increases by a large margin when Partey is playing compared to when he is absent from kick-off. Since his arrival in 2020, he has been an automatic starter under Arteta.
However, his consistent injury issues prevent Arsenal from being able to rely on the midfielder. But, in recent weeks Partey has been ever-present and reliable, which was highlighted in the match against Forest as his magnificent strike in the second half secured all three points for the Gunners.
Losers
Chelsea
Arsenal are set to play against Chelsea on November 6th at Stamford Bridge in the penultimate Premier League fixture before the World Cup. And it seems that the Gunners have been given a major advantage as a result of good discipline by William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus.
Both players were one yellow card away from suspension, meaning the pair went into the Nottingham Forest fixture knowing that a booking would rule the two players out of the major clash against Chelsea.
With Saliba and Jesus avoiding suspension, it means that Arteta has two players who are arguably the first names on his teamsheet available for selection for the trip to Stamford Bridge next weekend.
Bukayo Saka
Saka had a phenomenal start to the match against Forest and was clearly Arsenal’s biggest threat in attack. This was epitomised by his impressive assist for Martinelli to give the Gunners an early lead.
Unfortunately, Saka’s impressive start to the match was halted when he went down with an injury in the first half. This also forced him to be substituted.
With the World Cup fast approaching and a crucial Arsenal tie against Chelsea coming up, Saka’s injury comes at the worst time, as the Englishman has been the Gunners’ best player in recent weeks.
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